ST. JOHNSBURY - The St. Johnsbury police chief says discarded needles and syringes are a growing problem in the northeastern Vermont community.

Chief Clem Houde says police have received reports of needles and syringes at a number of locations in town.

Last Friday, discarded hypodermic needles were found in the visiting dugout of St. Johnsbury's Legion baseball field.

Houde says that last year needles and syringes were found in portable toilets at the baseball field.

But St. Johnsbury resident Tim Angell, who helps maintain the baseball field, tells the Caledonian Record (http://bit.ly/1omFOmU ) the problem at the field isn't as bad this year because of security improvements that include locking the gates and daily checks of the grounds.